If you want a shot at the $100K Bell Labs Prize, you'd better hurry up and put some polish on that great idea: The deadline is July 15.

The prize (actually, $50K and $25K prizes are also on the line) comes from Alcatel-Lucent's research arm, which is no stranger to big prizes: 12 of its researchers have shared in 7 Nobel Prizes for Physics over the years. Winners will have a chance to work with Bell Labs to further their research as well.

In addition to recognizing individual winners, Bell Labs will offer $100,000 donation to the accredited institution of higher learning at which the top winner is enrolled at the time the application is submitted.

Copyright 2018 IDG Communications. ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited.